Lynch Canyon

Lynch Canyon, owned and managed by the Solano Land Trust, serves as an important buffer zone between Fairfield and Vallejo.

With habitats ranging from steep grasslands to the riparian corridor of Lynch Creek, the property is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Buckeyes, oaks and wetland meadows provide shelter for deer, fox, bobcat, waterfowl, and many raptors, including red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, and the majestic golden eagle. Also of interest are excellent specimens of native grasses and spring wildflowers such as Johnny jump-ups, California poppies, brodiaea, milkmaids, yarrow and lupine. A small reservoir provides a home to muskrats, great blue herons and endangered California red-legged frogs.

The first inhabitants of Lynch Canyon were Native Americans known as the Patwins, part of the larger linguistic family, the Wintuns. The Suisunes, a sub-tribe of the Patwins, likely hunted deer, elk and bear on the property, and gathered acorns in late summer. General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo held the first official title on the property, but when the United States took possession of California his deed was disputed and the land was sold for $1.25 per acre.

During the next century, landowners grazed cattle and sheep on the land. Tri-County Development Inc. bought the property in the early 1980s to build a landfill, but Solano County voters rejected the project. Solano Land Trust purchased the property in two parcels, completing the transfer in 1996.

Today, Lynch Canyon is open to the public Friday to Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The land offers great hiking trails for walkers, mountain bikers or even horseback riding. Come fly a kite in the spring and summer months! A one-day parking pass is $6. Annual passes are available.